Miami-born, New York-raised Sarabeth Tucek may at first glance seem “just” another Dylan-doting folk-rock chanteuse, her soft vocal decorating pleasant, laid-back guitar music. Yet on closer inspection, there are twists and furrows here which reveal her unique background. Having sung with Smog and Brian Jonestown Massacre, she's happy to let a darker, indie haze creep into her ballads and color them with ambivalence. It's clear that, like Mazzy Star or Elliott Smith, Tucek is as influenced by the Velvet Underground as she is by '60s sweetness and light. Producers Ethan Johns (Ray Lamontagne, Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon) and Luther Russell (Richmond Fontaine) seem equally keen to steer this to a listenable — yet not lightweight — place. The ambition reaches full fruition on beautifully arranged, string-sodden closer “Home," which could almost be Karen Carpenter fronting Neil Young's Crazy Horse.

The bittersweet sighs of “Something for You” and the psalm-like “Stillborn” lead us in, eschewing any attention-seeking flash and oozing understated sincerity. Tucek rarely projects, preferring to mutter, but her voice revels in that rare ability to lure us in, making us curious to hear what's stewing amid those brooding, pained emotions. “Ambulance” is as sparse yet… read more »